GA-X58A-UD3R (rev 1.0) reboot issue

[Renstrom]

Got a GA-X58A-UD3R which gives my gray hairs...
My pc won't start up, fans start up and some LEDs light up for 3 seconds then it reboots. This continous until I push the power button...This is a long story, starting back in April when I bought new hardware for upgrading my old pc.

Intel Core# i7 930
Gigabyte GA-X58A-UD3R (BIOS rev F5)
Corsair XMS3 DDR3 1333MHz 3x2GB
Corsair TX 650W
Intel X25-M SSD 80GB 2,5"
Samsung SpinPoint F3 1TB SATA2
PowerColor Radeon HD 5870 1GB GDDR5
Samsung SH-S223L
Antec P182
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SE 64bit

Installed everything when it arrived and the pc worked for 3 days, then it suddenly got BSOD and started rebooting, until powering off.
Tried to get response from the reseller Komplett.se in Sweden, and sent the MB to them. They found a bent pin, and they have stated that it then was out of warranty. Sounded a bit strange to me, if there was a bent pin, why did the pc work for 3 days…?
Took a look at the MB when they returned it and found that one of the BIOS chip was burned…! Talked to Komplett.se and they said that this wasn’t covered by warranty…

Got in contact with Gigabyte support and after a lot of mails they told me to send the board to Gigabyte in Germany. Did so, and after some weeks I got it back. Gigabyte fixed the BIOS chip and also actually changed the cpu socket.  Installed it and everything has been working nice for 2 month, until last week when same error occurred again. Was able to start up the pc after resetting the motherboard, but now it doesn’t work either.
Contacted Komplett.se again to claim warranty, but they said that this has couldn’t be done due to bent pin…  
I have no bent pins at the CPU socket…

Tired of this, and if nothing really happens I will scrap this motherboard and buy quality, ASUS…

[Dark Mantis]

Well my first reaction is that Komplett.se are complete idiots! But I am sure that you came to that conclusion without any help from me.
What happens now if you try and boot up? What beep codes do you get? Have you checked that the memory is compatible with the  motherboard for sure?

[Renstrom]

Thanks for your answer.
Yes, I agree Komplett.se could have handled this better... 

Nothing really happens, fans start up, some LED:s light up, then it shuts down. Then it start up and shutting down, a continious loop that ends when powering down. Every loop takes about 3 seconds.
Tried everything, holding the reset button, removed battery, but nothing happens...

Have built many pc's during my days, but never had any major isssues. This is my first Gigabyte board, wonder if it would be my last as well...

[Dark Mantis]

OK let's see if we can fix this problem. Two things immediately spring to mind, one of them is the PSU, it is a good quality power supply but these new boards and GPU especially take a lot of power. If you can try a larger one of the same quality it would be worth a try. ie Corsair HX750 or similar. The second is your memory. Can you post the exact model number for us please?

[Renstrom]

Hi,
Been into same conclusion, something wrong with memory or psu.
I took the pc to a servicecenter in June, just to verify other components and to have an 'second opinion' of my pc.
No good news, issue was still there.
Don't know which psu or memory they put in.
This memory kit is part of a upgrade kit from Komplett.se that consists of the motherboard, memory and cpu.   

Memory: It is a Kit with 3x 2GB XMS3 modules: CMX6GX3M3A1333C9
Power: Yes, I can try to put in 750w psu tonight.

[Dark Mantis]

When you exchange the PSUs please post the make/model for us to see.
I have just checked your memory against the QVL on Corsairs website and it is recommended so that is good. At least it isn't incompatible.
http://www.corsair.com/configurator/product_results.aspx?id=1362102#other_modules

[Renstrom]

Put on my googles and had a closer look at the motherboard.
And guess what I found?
From my point of view this is clearly something covererd by warranty, or what do you think?
This a photo showing BIOS chips, one slightly (!) damaged...

[Renstrom]

Closer look at damaged BIOS chip.

[Dark Mantis]

I can tell you now that it will not be accepted as a RMA   What has happened there is that one of the lands(tracks) has broken and someone has tried to repair it by soldering a piece of wire across the gap. In essence it looks like it still has continuity there so performance shouldn't be affected. Just as long as it doesn't short across to anything else like the chip leg.

[Renstrom]

No, there is no soldering done, nor is there any wire there.
The track is loose, it has bent up from the motherboard.
Must have been hot at this spot...

If you double click on the second picture you can see more clearly.
 

[Dark Mantis]

Please! It is as clear as day. I agree that the track has lifted and broken, possibly through heat but it doesn't look melted more broken. I have seen so many broken tracks in my time that I know what I am looking at. Sorry mate. Try and get an RMA if you want but I know what they will say.

[Renstrom]

I have also seen a lot of defective boards in my days, started over 20 years ago wiring backplanes. Been working with IT since then...
It makes no difference if the track is broken or burned, the board is defective, caused probably by a low quality component.
The nearby BIOS chip was replaced by Gigabyte service center back in June, and the track was visable even then, but not as much as now, of course.
This board has been working fine since the reinstallation in July, until one week ago.

Btw; tested other memories (Kingston) and a PSU (Corsair TX750) just an hour ago, borrowed from my neighbour.
But no success, same problem...   

[Dark Mantis]

It makes no difference if the track is broken or burned, the board is defective, caused probably by a low quality component.
The nearby BIOS chip was replaced by Gigabyte service center back in June, and the track was visable even then, but not as much as now, of course.
This board has been working fine since the reinstallation in July, until one week ago.

If you want my advice the only possible argument that you would have in your favour is that the track was repaired at the same time as the chip was replaced. That is perfectly feasible. If you can back that up with any old photos from the previous time then you would have a fair case if you understand me. 

[Fatman]

I would send an e-mail to Gigabyte with that pic enclosed and tell them your story. See what transpires from there.

[Renstrom]

Finally got a RMA, but not from the reseller, got it from Gigabyte.
Gigabyte have also according to a mial I got, asked the reseller Komplett.se to provide better end user support in future!
Bad thing is that I have to send it to Germany, spent a lot of money on freights...